Dan Miller got a surprise Friday morning when a team of 18 sailors from Whidbey Island Naval Air Station reported for duty at the Oak Harbor post office.

Miller, in charge of maintenance at the post office, was greeted by Petty Officer 2nd Class Richard Moore, who informed him that they were there to help tidy up the grounds.

“I said, ‘You’re here to do what?’” Miller said.

Miller, apparently, didn’t get the memo. But as it turned out, the surprise was a pleasant one as the sailors spent about three hours pulling weeds, raking, pruning and picking up trash, including cigarette butts, from the grounds.

The group represents the Junior Enlisted Association from the base’s Naval Ocean Processing Facility.

The sailors were looking for a way to give back to the community and will continue to seek such projects, Moore said.

“It really improves relations between sailors and civilians,” Moore said.

“We’re here to help our community,” said seaman apprentice Jesse Shelmire.

“It boosts morale, especially for our sailors if they work in a team setting like this.”

Petty Officer 2nd Class Quintin Thomas, the association’s events coordinator, contacted the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce to ask for ideas to give back to the community and the post office grounds at the intersection of City Beach Street and  SE Barrington Drive were suggested. Moore then rounded up the volunteers and organized the project.

“They did a great job,” Miller said. “I appreciate it very much.”

Miller said a landscaper will be onsite to continue their work in the coming weeks.

“It’s going to get even better,” he said.